Jupiter’s throne

This bronze statuette was found in Rouen, together with a group of statuettes of gods which must have belonged to a household altar or Lararium. This is the best-known image of Jupiter, and was no doubt inspired by the cult statue made by the Greek artist Phidias for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia - a chryselephantine (gold and ivory) statue which counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The Romans also used this work as a model for their cult statue in the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol in Rome.Our statuette shows Jupiter sitting on a massive throne with armrests and a scrolled decoration at its top. It is interesting to note that this throne seems very large - almost too large in relation to the god - and that the god’s feet are not on the floor but on a little stool. Both throne and stool symbolise royalty here, clearly indicating that Jupiter is the king of the gods. His status is that of a sovereign, and the large throne further accentuates the royal dimension of his identity.